Manufacture of explosives.



' UNITED STATES rATENT OFFICE.

ROSS GEORGE SMITH, 0F DERBY VILLAGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR '10 RAYMOND,

PYNGHON & COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Ross GEORGE SMITH, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Broadway, Derry Village, county of Rockingham, State of New Hampshire,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Manufacture of Explosives, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the manufacture of a variable grade explosive of perchlorate type, suitable for use in blasting charges,

shells, bombs, and for other purposes especially where the highest grade explosives are not required, the chief object of the invention being to provide a perchlorate explosive of great stability, safety and perfect 'detonating properties and of economical nature. I

According to this invention a mixture of ammonium and alkali metal (preferably potassium) perchlorates is employed With zinc powder or dust, sulfur, a viscous hydrocarbon such as petroleum jelly and a Waterproofing varnish such as asphaltum varnish, an alcohol-benzol mixture being employed in "incorporating the main ingredients. The mixed perchlorates amount to about seven-tenths of the composition and the zinc powderto about a ninth or tenth part or thereabout of the mixed perchlorates, the remainder comprising the other ingredients named. Nitrates or nitro compounds are avoided as they are. attacked by zinc dust owing to its reducing act-ion. Chlorates are also avoided.

The following composition contains typical proportions of the ingredients for 100 lbs. of explosive, but the proportions may be varied according to the special characteristics desiredz-potassium perchlorate, 53 lbs.; ammonium perchlorate, 18 lbs; Slllfur, 5110s.; zinc dust, 8 lbs; petroleum jelly, 5 lbs; asphaltum varnish, 3 lbs; alcohol, 6 lbs; benzol, 2 lbs. The alcohol-benzol m1x ture is used for incorporating the main ingredients of the composition, .'but evaporates during the process of preparation of the explosive.

Copies ct this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the walhlngtcn, D. 0."

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 16, 1917.

Application filed February 3, 1916. Serial No. 75,910.

The powdered constituents should be first mixed together and the organic materials then incorporated. The organic compounds mentioned may be replaced by others of analogous chemical properties. For example, petroleum jelly may be replaced by other stable solid or liquid hydrocarbons, and tarry materials, such as tar oils with or without the addition of alcohol or benzol, may be substituted for the asphaltum varnish. The varnish or equivalent substance acts as a waterproofing and airproofing material to prevent oxidation of the zinc or its contact with any small quantities of substances in the explosive mixture which may be reduced by the zinc. By varying the proportions of the potassium and ammonium perchlorate the grade of the explosive can be altered, a larger proportion of the ammonium compound giving an explosive of higher grade, and the proportions of sulfur and zinc dust and of the various organic materials are also subject to modification according to the desired characteristics of the explosive. Part of the potassium perchlorate may be replaced by sodium perchlorate for use in' lower grade explosives. Other perchlorates also may be employed.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. An explosive composition consisting of a mixture of ammonium and alkali metal perchlorates amounting to about seventenths of the composition and zinc powder in an amount of the order of ten per cent. by weight of the said perchlorates, the residue consisting substantially of 'sulfur, pe; troleum jelly and a waterproofing varnish.

2. An explosive composition produced by a mixture of the following ingredients in approximately the following proportions potassium perchlorate, 53 lbs.; ammonium perchlorate, 18 lbs; sulfur, 5 lbs; finely divided zinc, '8 lbs; petroleum jell 5 lbs; asphaltum varnish, 3 lbs; alcohol, 6 lbs; benzol, 2 lbs.

In testimony whereof I herewith afiix my signature.

- ROSS GEORGE SMITH.

commissioner ct Patents. 

